Heat sink

ABSTRACT

A heat sink includes a plurality of fins. Each of fins includes a body having two locking members at a top portion and a lower portion thereof respectively. Each of the locking members includes two parallel clasping plates. The two clasping plates of one of the fins clasp the main body of another fin adjacent said one fin, thereby interlocking the fins together.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a heat sink, more particularly to a heat sink for dissipating heat generated by an electronic component, and particularly to a heat sink with a plurality of interlocked fins that are easily and securely interlocked.

2. Description of related art

It is well known that during operation computer electronic devices such as central processing units (CPUs) can generate large amounts of heat. The heat must be quickly removed from the electronic device to prevent it from becoming unstable or being damaged. Typically, a heat sink is attached to an outer surface of the electronic device to absorb heat from the electronic device, and the heat absorbed by the heat sink is then dissipated to ambient air.

FIG. 5 related heat sink 30 which includes a plurality of fins stacked together. Each of the fins comprises a rectangular body 32 and two flanges 34 extending perpendicularly from respective top and bottom side edges of the body 32. Each fin provides recess portions 36 and protrusion portions 38 at the flanges 34 thereof. The protrusion portions 38, with protruding points 39 formed thereon. In assembly, the protrusion portions 38 of one fin are inserted into the corresponding recess portions 36 of an adjacent fin to cause the protruding point 39 thereof to engage with a front face of the adjacent fin, thereby assembling the fins together. However, the protruding points 39 of the fins are small-sized and therefore providing a loosened combination ability. The protruding points 39 of the one fin are easily disengaged from the front face of the adjacent fin when the assembled fins are subject to mechanical shocks.

What is needed, therefore, is a heat sink which has a plurality of fins securely keeping with each other.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A heat sink includes a plurality of fins. Each of fins includes a body having two locking members at a top portion and a lower portion thereof respectively. Each of the locking members includes two parallel clasping plates. The two clasping plates of one of the fins clasp the main body of another fin adjacent said one fin, thereby interlocking the fins together.

Other advantages and novel features will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the present embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is an assembled view of a heat sink in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial assembled view of the heat sink of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of an indicated portion IV of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of an indicated portion V of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of related heat sink.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a heat sink in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a first fin 11 and a plurality second fins 13 located at a rear side of the first fin 11. The first fin 11 and the second fins 13 firmly grasp each other.

Referring to FIGS. 2-3, the first fin 11 comprises a rectangular body 110 with a pair of elongated flanges 111 extending outwardly from lateral edges thereof along the same direction. Four cutouts 113 are defined in the body 110, generally in two upper corner sections and two lower corner sections thereof. Each cutout 113 is enclosed by an outer edge (not labeled) parallel to the flange 111 near the corresponding cutout 113, and an inner edge (not labeled) parallel to the outer edge, and a connecting edge (not labeled) connecting with the out and inner edges thereof. A locking member 115 extends from the inner edge of each cutout 113. Each locking portion 115 comprises an extension plate 1151 and a connecting plate 1153. The extension plate 1151 connects with the connecting edge of each cutout 113 and is coplanar with the body 110. The connecting plate 1153 is perpendicularly bent from an end of the extension plate 1151.

Each second fin 13 is similar to the first fin 11 and comprises a rectangular body 130 with a pair of elongated flanges 131 extending outwardly from lateral edges thereof in the same direction. Four cutouts 133 are defined in the body 130, generally in two upper corner sections and two lower corner sections thereof. Each cutout 133 is enclosed by an outer edge (not labeled) parallel to the flange 131 near the corresponding cutout 133, and an inner edge (not labeled) parallel to the outer edge, and a connecting edge (not labeled) connecting with the outer and inner edges thereof. A locking member 135 is punched from the body 130 at the cutout 133. Each locking portion 135 comprises an extension plate 1351, a connecting plate 1353 extending from the extension plate 1351 and a clasp 1355 extending from the connecting plate 1353. The extension plate 1351 connects with the connecting edge of each cutout 133 and is coplanar with the body 130. The connecting plate 1353 is perpendicularly to the extension plate 1151 and extends outwardly from the extension plate 1351. The clasp 1355 has a U-shaped configuration with an opening (not labeled). A total length of the clasp 1355 is equal to that of the longer out edge of the cutout 133. The clasp 1355 comprises a first plate 1356 perpendicular extending outwardly from the connecting plate 1353, a second plate 1357 parallel to and spaced from the first plate 1356 and a connecting plate (not labeled) connecting with the first and second plates 1356, 1357. The first and second plates 1356, 1357 are parallel to the body 130. The first plate 1356 is longer than the second plate 1357. The openings of the clasps 1355 located at the upper corner and the lower corner of the body 130 are opposite respectively.

Referring to FIG. 4, before assembled, each second fin 13 and the first fin 11 has the extension plates 1151, 1351 and the connecting plates 1153, 1353 by punching. The first fin 11 is placed in front of and parallel to the second fins 13. The connecting plates 1153, 1353 located at the corresponding cutout 113 of the first and second fins 11, 13 are aligned with each other. A free end of each connecting plate 1353 of the second fin 13 forms one clasp 1355 by punching. The clasps 1355 located at the rear side of the first fin 11 firmly snap the extension plates 1151 of the first fin 11. In this state, the first and second plates 1356, 1357 of the clasps 1355 are located at the rear side and a front side of the body 110 of the first fin 11 respectively; each clasp 1355 abuts against the connecting plate 1153 of the corresponding locking member 115 and the inner edge of the first fin 11. Then the second fins 13 connect with each other in turn in the same way as described above with uniform direction, thus, the heat sink 10 is formed. The cutouts 113, 133 are aligned with each other to form four elongated grooves (not labeled). The locking member 135 of the second fins 13 are received in the grooves. The flanges 111,113 of the first and second fins 11, 13 are connecting each other to form two planar surfaces (not labeled) for connecting the electronic component. The number of the second fins 13 used may be varied according to need.

It is believed that the present embodiments and their advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the examples hereinbefore described merely being preferred or exemplary embodiments of the invention. 

1. A heat sink comprising a plurality of fins snapping with each other, each of fins comprising a body having two locking members at a top portion and a lower portion thereof respectively, each of locking members comprising a connecting plate extending outwardly from the body and a clasp extending from the connecting plate, each of the clasps spaced from the body of the fin and comprising a first plate connecting with the connecting plate and a second plate extending from the first plate, the fins connecting with each other to assemble together via the clasps; Wherein when the fins is assembled together, the claps of the fin located at a rear side snaps with the body of the fin located at a front side, and the first plates and the second plates of the clasps are located at the rear and front sides of the body of the fin located at the front side.
 2. The heat sink as claimed in claim 1, wherein each locking member further comprises an extension plate connecting with the connecting plate the fins connecting with each other via the claps of the fin located at the rear side snapping with the extension plates of the fin located at the front side, the first plates and the second plates of the clasps located at the rear and front sides of the extension plates of the fin located at the front side.
 3. The heat sink as claimed in claim 2, wherein the connecting plates are perpendicular to the first plates of the locking members, and the first plates are parallel to the body of each of the fins.
 4. The heat sink as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first plate of each of the clasps has a length longer than that of the second plate.
 5. The heat sink as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the fins defines two cutouts at the top and lower portions of the body thereof, and each of the locking members extends outwardly from an edge of each of the cutout respectively.
 6. The heat sink as claimed in claim 5, wherein the clasps of one of the fins abut against an edge of the cutouts and the connecting plate of adjacent fin.
 7. The heat sink as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cutouts communicate with each other to form two grooves at the top and lower portions of the heat sink respectively, and the locking members are received in the grooves respectively.
 8. The heat sink as claimed in claim 1, wherein each clasp has a U-shaped configuration with an opening.
 9. The heat sink as claimed in claim 7, wherein the openings of the claps of the locking members are opposite to each other.
 10. The heat sink as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top portion and the lower portion of each of the fins each has two locking members.
 11. The heat sink as claimed in claim 1 further comprising another fin located at a front side of the fins, the another fin comprising a body, the clasps of one of the fins located at a rear side of the another fin snapping with the body of the another fin.
 12. The heat sink as claimed in claim 10, wherein the another fin defines locking members located at a top portion and a lower portion, each of the locking member comprising an extension plate and a connecting plate extending outwardly from the extension plate, the clasps of the fin clasping with the extension plates and abutting against the connecting plate of the another fin.
 13. A heat sink adapted for dissipating heat from an electronic component, comprising: a plurality of fins, each fin comprising a main body and at least one locking member punched from the main body, the at least one locking member comprising two parallel clasping plates; wherein two clasping plates of one of the fins clasping the main body of another fin adjacent said one fin, thereby interlocking the fins together.
 14. The heat sink as claimed in claim 13, wherein the main body defines a cutout above the locking member, the two clasping plates of said one fin clasping the main body of the adjacent fin at the cutout.
 15. The heat sink as claimed in claim 14, wherein the at least one locking member further comprises a baffle plate perpendicularly interconnecting with the two clasping plates, the baffle plate of the adjacent fin abutting against side edges of the two clasping plates of said one fin.
 16. The heat sink as claimed in claim 15, wherein the two clasping plates are parallel to the main body.
 17. The heat sink as claimed in claim 15, wherein an opening is defined by punching the at least one locking member, and a longer inner edge of the opening has a length equal to that of the two clasping plates. 